by Paul D. Bayne
(CROWN POINT, IN - August 12) Shannon Babb of Moweaqua, IL returned to Crown Point Speedway Friday night, for the first of a two-day racing extravaganza, a prelude to Saturday night's big $15,000-to-win Kevin Roderick Memorial, to pick up a $5,000 winner's check for winning the NALMS Midwest Speedweek special. But unlike his previous visits this year, which included a $5,000 win during the Cabin Fever 50, and a $10,000 win during the UMP Summernationals, Babb didn't runaway and hide from the field, at least not Dennis Erb Jr.
While only five of the twenty-two cars that started the 40-lap special would finish on the lead lap, Erb was there keeping Babb in check the entire race. Racing side-by-side at a feverish pace, the duo took turns besting each other at every turn while dicing their way through lap traffic. The modest crowd was on the edge of their seats, some standing and cheering wildly at the mere thought of someone finally dethroning the almighty Babb. But it was not to be again on this night, as Babb used a little bit of late race traffic to carve his way back by Erb on the inside to take the point for good.
Babb, who started on the outside of pole-sitter Bret Sievert of Wisconsin (Kevin Weaver opted to start tail due to motor woes), motored his way to the front right from the drop of the green flag, while Erb immediately went to work on the inside. Action would be slowed on lap four as Wisconsin's Mark Weisnacht climbed the wall in turn three and came to rest needing assistance from a pair of wreckers to remove his stranded machine.
Nine laps later on lap 12, Chatham, Illinois' Brian Shirley brought out the second caution flag when he slowed with a cut left rear tire. After changing the tire he would return to find himself tail on the field. By the half way mark, Babb and Erb were clearly the class of the field, but Sievert, Steve Hillard, and Jason Feger were all on the lead lap and in hot pursuit. Points provisional starter Rodney Melvin of Mount Vernon, IL, started the race from the 19th spot on the grid and had climbed to sixth by the half way mark. Wes Steidinger of Fairbury, IL, was engaged in a hot contest with local driver Eddie Leviner of Merrillville, and five-time NALMS champ Steve Barnett of Franklin, IN, before finally disposing of those two to claim the seventh spot. The birthday boy George Scheffler of Wisconsin, who turned 61 this week, rounded out the top ten.
With just six laps to go, the third caution flag was unfurled as Shirley, Wisconsin's Jim Letizia, and young Illinois product Mike Mataragus all got together in turn four. For Shirley, it was that left rear tire that had not been tightened securely that came undone, while Mataragus' mount was heavily damaged. Letizia was able to continue. With one last shot to get it done, and the lap car of Joe McGrath, who was piloting brother-in-law Russ Scheffler's ride separating the two leaders, Erb dove to the low side as Babb rode the rail up top. Third place Sievert, with Hillard of Sadorus, IL, and Jason Feger of Bloomington, IL on his tail, had to contend with the lap cars of Letizia and Crawfordsville's (IN) Dan Walden, while still trying to hunt down Babb and Erb, who were again checking out on the field.
With the checkered flags waving above, Babb was able to hold off Erb by six car lengths for the win, while Hillard and Feger would both get by Sievert on the final lap to round out the top five. Sievert became and victim of those lapped cars and was clearly not happy with the end result. Melvin and Steidinger came across sixth and seventh, while Barnett would sneak past Leviner for eighth, and Scheffler would finish tenth. Everyone from Melvin on back finished one lap down.
Note: Due to excessive early Saturday morning rains, the Kevin Roderick Memorial has been post-poned until September 24th.
Summary of Results
33 Late Models took time
28 Dennis Erb Jr. set fast time: 13.03
Top 5 from heats to Feature
Heat 1
1. B12 Kevin Weaver (2)
2. 28 Dennis Erb Jr. (3)
3. 34 Steve Hillard (1)
4. 1m Mike Mataragas (4)
5. 10s George Scheffler (5)
6. 15s T.J. Dolhun (10)
7. 74 Joe McGrath (7)
8. D1 Turk Letizia (6)
9. 2m Steve Metz (9)
10. D7 Jim Letizia ( 11)
11. 91 Bill Clemmons (8)
Heat 2
1. 5 Bret Sievert (3)
2. 25 Kyle Roderick (2)
3. 25 Jason Feger (6)
4. 20 Steve Barnett (1)
5. 1c Duane Chamberlain (8)
6. v77 Guy Volk (5)
7. 18w Mark Weisnacht (4)
8. 25w Dan Walden (7)
9. X1 Justin Robinson (9)
10. 61 John Clemmons (11)
11. 21s Tom Sprague (10)
Heat 3
1. 18 Shannon Babb (4)
2. 23 Patrick Sheltra (1)
3. 3s Brian Shirley (7)
4. 21 Eddie Leviner (2)
5. 1 Wes Steidinger (5)
6. 99 Frank Heckenast Sr. (6)
7. 55 Jim Loomis ( 8)
8. 41J Jarrod Holshouser (10)
9. 37 Mike Anderson (11)
10. 10 Tom Dusen (9)
11. 27 Rodney Melvin (3)
Consi (top 6 to feature)
1. 99 Frank Heckenast Sr. (6)
2. v77 Guy Volk (2)
3. 74 Joe McGrath (1)
4. D7 Jim Letizia (11)
5. 18w Mark Weisnacht (5)
6. 25w Dan Walden (8)
7. X1 Justin Robinson (9)
8. 27 Rodney Melvin (15)
9. 55 Jim Loomis (3)
10. 37 Mike Anderson (12)
11. D1 Turk Letizia (7)
12. 15s T.J. Dolhun (4)
13. 61 John Clemmons (14)
14. 2m Steve Metz (10)
15. 21s Tom Sprague (13)
16. 41J Jarrod Holshouser DNS
17. 10 Tom Dusen DNS
18. 91 Bill Clemmons DNS
Feature (40-laps, $5,000 to win)
1. 18 Shannon Babb (2)
2. 28 Dennis Erb Jr. (4)
3. 34 Steve Hillard (5)
4. 25 Jason Feger (8)
5. 5 Bret Sievert (1)
6. 27 Rodney Melvin (19)
7. 1 Wes Steidinger (13)
8. 20 Steve Barnett (9)
9. 21 Eddie Leviner (12)
10. 10s George Scheffler (11)
11. D7 Jim Letizia (17)
12. 25w Dan Walden (21)
13. 3s Brian Shirley (7)
14. 1m Mike Mataragas (10)
15. 74 Joe McGrath (18)
16. v77 Guy Volk (15)
17. 99 Frank Heckenast Sr. (16)
18. 23 Patrick Sheltra (6)
19. 25 Kyle Roderick (3)
20. 1 Duane Chamberlain (14)
21. 18w Mark Weisnacht (20
22. B12 Kevin Weaver (22)
Contingencies:
K-Motion Feature Winner: 18 Shannon Babb
Petersen Aluminum Fast Time: 28 Dennis Erb Jr.
PPM Products Hard Charger: 27 Rodney Melvin
Wick Oil Co. And Sunoco Hard Luck Award: B12 Kevin Weaver
Scott Performance Wire Heat Race Winner: B12 Kevin Weaver
Dyer’s Rods Feature Pole Award: B12 Kevin Weaver (elected to start tail because of motor trouble, pushing Bret Sievert to the point)
Scogin Racing Products Last Place Feature: B12 Kevin Weaver
PFM Racing Products 2nd Place Feature: 28 Dennis Erb Jr.
Midwest Speedweek Top 10
1. Erb 73
2. Hillard 66
3. Barnett 54
4. Melvin 52
5. Korte 44
6. Feger 40
7. Chamberlain 38
8. Weaver 32
9. Mataragas 29
10. Babb 26
(CROWN POINT, IN - August 12) Shannon Babb of Moweaqua, IL returned to Crown Point Speedway Friday night, for the first of a two-day racing extravaganza, a prelude to Saturday night's big $15,000-to-win Kevin Roderick Memorial, to pick up a $5,000 winner's check for winning the NALMS Midwest Speedweek special. But unlike his previous visits this year, which included a $5,000 win during the Cabin Fever 50, and a $10,000 win during the UMP Summernationals, Babb didn't runaway and hide from the field, at least not Dennis Erb Jr.
While only five of the twenty-two cars that started the 40-lap special would finish on the lead lap, Erb was there keeping Babb in check the entire race. Racing side-by-side at a feverish pace, the duo took turns besting each other at every turn while dicing their way through lap traffic. The modest crowd was on the edge of their seats, some standing and cheering wildly at the mere thought of someone finally dethroning the almighty Babb. But it was not to be again on this night, as Babb used a little bit of late race traffic to carve his way back by Erb on the inside to take the point for good.
Babb, who started on the outside of pole-sitter Bret Sievert of Wisconsin (Kevin Weaver opted to start tail due to motor woes), motored his way to the front right from the drop of the green flag, while Erb immediately went to work on the inside. Action would be slowed on lap four as Wisconsin's Mark Weisnacht climbed the wall in turn three and came to rest needing assistance from a pair of wreckers to remove his stranded machine.
Nine laps later on lap 12, Chatham, Illinois' Brian Shirley brought out the second caution flag when he slowed with a cut left rear tire. After changing the tire he would return to find himself tail on the field. By the half way mark, Babb and Erb were clearly the class of the field, but Sievert, Steve Hillard, and Jason Feger were all on the lead lap and in hot pursuit. Points provisional starter Rodney Melvin of Mount Vernon, IL, started the race from the 19th spot on the grid and had climbed to sixth by the half way mark. Wes Steidinger of Fairbury, IL, was engaged in a hot contest with local driver Eddie Leviner of Merrillville, and five-time NALMS champ Steve Barnett of Franklin, IN, before finally disposing of those two to claim the seventh spot. The birthday boy George Scheffler of Wisconsin, who turned 61 this week, rounded out the top ten.
With just six laps to go, the third caution flag was unfurled as Shirley, Wisconsin's Jim Letizia, and young Illinois product Mike Mataragus all got together in turn four. For Shirley, it was that left rear tire that had not been tightened securely that came undone, while Mataragus' mount was heavily damaged. Letizia was able to continue. With one last shot to get it done, and the lap car of Joe McGrath, who was piloting brother-in-law Russ Scheffler's ride separating the two leaders, Erb dove to the low side as Babb rode the rail up top. Third place Sievert, with Hillard of Sadorus, IL, and Jason Feger of Bloomington, IL on his tail, had to contend with the lap cars of Letizia and Crawfordsville's (IN) Dan Walden, while still trying to hunt down Babb and Erb, who were again checking out on the field.
With the checkered flags waving above, Babb was able to hold off Erb by six car lengths for the win, while Hillard and Feger would both get by Sievert on the final lap to round out the top five. Sievert became and victim of those lapped cars and was clearly not happy with the end result. Melvin and Steidinger came across sixth and seventh, while Barnett would sneak past Leviner for eighth, and Scheffler would finish tenth. Everyone from Melvin on back finished one lap down.
Note: Due to excessive early Saturday morning rains, the Kevin Roderick Memorial has been post-poned until September 24th.
Summary of Results
33 Late Models took time
28 Dennis Erb Jr. set fast time: 13.03
Top 5 from heats to Feature
Heat 1
1. B12 Kevin Weaver (2)
2. 28 Dennis Erb Jr. (3)
3. 34 Steve Hillard (1)
4. 1m Mike Mataragas (4)
5. 10s George Scheffler (5)
6. 15s T.J. Dolhun (10)
7. 74 Joe McGrath (7)
8. D1 Turk Letizia (6)
9. 2m Steve Metz (9)
10. D7 Jim Letizia ( 11)
11. 91 Bill Clemmons (8)
Heat 2
1. 5 Bret Sievert (3)
2. 25 Kyle Roderick (2)
3. 25 Jason Feger (6)
4. 20 Steve Barnett (1)
5. 1c Duane Chamberlain (8)
6. v77 Guy Volk (5)
7. 18w Mark Weisnacht (4)
8. 25w Dan Walden (7)
9. X1 Justin Robinson (9)
10. 61 John Clemmons (11)
11. 21s Tom Sprague (10)
Heat 3
1. 18 Shannon Babb (4)
2. 23 Patrick Sheltra (1)
3. 3s Brian Shirley (7)
4. 21 Eddie Leviner (2)
5. 1 Wes Steidinger (5)
6. 99 Frank Heckenast Sr. (6)
7. 55 Jim Loomis ( 8)
8. 41J Jarrod Holshouser (10)
9. 37 Mike Anderson (11)
10. 10 Tom Dusen (9)
11. 27 Rodney Melvin (3)
Consi (top 6 to feature)
1. 99 Frank Heckenast Sr. (6)
2. v77 Guy Volk (2)
3. 74 Joe McGrath (1)
4. D7 Jim Letizia (11)
5. 18w Mark Weisnacht (5)
6. 25w Dan Walden (8)
7. X1 Justin Robinson (9)
8. 27 Rodney Melvin (15)
9. 55 Jim Loomis (3)
10. 37 Mike Anderson (12)
11. D1 Turk Letizia (7)
12. 15s T.J. Dolhun (4)
13. 61 John Clemmons (14)
14. 2m Steve Metz (10)
15. 21s Tom Sprague (13)
16. 41J Jarrod Holshouser DNS
17. 10 Tom Dusen DNS
18. 91 Bill Clemmons DNS
Feature (40-laps, $5,000 to win)
1. 18 Shannon Babb (2)
2. 28 Dennis Erb Jr. (4)
3. 34 Steve Hillard (5)
4. 25 Jason Feger (8)
5. 5 Bret Sievert (1)
6. 27 Rodney Melvin (19)
7. 1 Wes Steidinger (13)
8. 20 Steve Barnett (9)
9. 21 Eddie Leviner (12)
10. 10s George Scheffler (11)
11. D7 Jim Letizia (17)
12. 25w Dan Walden (21)
13. 3s Brian Shirley (7)
14. 1m Mike Mataragas (10)
15. 74 Joe McGrath (18)
16. v77 Guy Volk (15)
17. 99 Frank Heckenast Sr. (16)
18. 23 Patrick Sheltra (6)
19. 25 Kyle Roderick (3)
20. 1 Duane Chamberlain (14)
21. 18w Mark Weisnacht (20
22. B12 Kevin Weaver (22)
Contingencies:
K-Motion Feature Winner: 18 Shannon Babb
Petersen Aluminum Fast Time: 28 Dennis Erb Jr.
PPM Products Hard Charger: 27 Rodney Melvin
Wick Oil Co. And Sunoco Hard Luck Award: B12 Kevin Weaver
Scott Performance Wire Heat Race Winner: B12 Kevin Weaver
Dyer’s Rods Feature Pole Award: B12 Kevin Weaver (elected to start tail because of motor trouble, pushing Bret Sievert to the point)
Scogin Racing Products Last Place Feature: B12 Kevin Weaver
PFM Racing Products 2nd Place Feature: 28 Dennis Erb Jr.
Midwest Speedweek Top 10
1. Erb 73
2. Hillard 66
3. Barnett 54
4. Melvin 52
5. Korte 44
6. Feger 40
7. Chamberlain 38
8. Weaver 32
9. Mataragas 29
10. Babb 26
